South Africa 2010FIFA World Cup

Darren eyes Dutch scalp


Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt (L) fights for the ball with teammate Stijn Schaars during a training session in Katwijk on Wednesday.Photo: AFP

Scotland midfielder Darren Fle-tcher believes George Burley's side can stun Holland in Amsterdam - if they right the wrongs from the last meeting between the countries.
The Manchester United star still winces when he recalls the 6-0 drubbing the Scots suffered at the hands of the Dutch in a play-off to qualify for Euro 2004.
But, while Fletcher is full of admiration for Saturday's opponents in a World Cup qualifier, he is convinced a lack of concentration from his own side and an over-attacking approach cost them in the last meeting.
He is desperate for lessons to be learned and, ahead of his return to the Amsterdam Arena, said: "We were on the offensive from the start the last time and we got beat 6-0. I think there will be more of a cautious approach this time around.
"Going back to the game, perhaps the most disappointing thing for me was that we lost four goals from set-pieces. If you get outplayed, you can hold your hands up and accept it.
"But to lose goals from set-pieces was disappointing. We can't let that happen and our concentration levels have to be good. It needs everyone to get on the ball and show confidence. If we stand back and give them too much respect, we will get punished."
Boss George Burley is likely to use Kenny Miller as a lone striker but Fletcher insists they will have to do more than defend if they are to take anything from the game.
He added: "It is sometimes difficult as at Manchester United we are often in the ascendancy and trying to break teams down. It flips a little bit with Scotland, where we are resilient and hard to break down.
"But it can't just be backs to the wall and the manager has stressed there has to be a spell when we are good enough to keep possession and create chances. It's a lottery trying to sit behind the ball for 90 minutes.
"They are one of the best sides in the world. In the Euros, especially in the group stages, it was total football and they were playing some of the best football in the competition. Their players are at a peak age of 25 and 26 and they are very confident"If Burley's side lose in Holland, it makes Wednesday night's match against Iceland at Hampden even more important if they are to have any chance of finishing runners-up and qualifying for the play-offs.
Scotland have not qualified for a major tournament since the World Cup in France in 1998 and the midfielder is desperate for that run to end.
He added: "People are talking about Iceland as the must-win game out of the two. But we can't dismiss the Holland game as we have proved before that we are capable of going away and getting results.
"We did it against France in the last campaign. If we can get anything from the Holland game it well help us massively. We are not thinking of defeat, but if we were to lose, it's important that we can pick ourselves for the Iceland game.
"I want to play in a World Cup. It doesn't get better than that. As a nation we haven't achieved it for a long time and we're desperate for the chance. We have been 'nearly men' on a couple of occasions and now we want to lose the tag and make the last step. We believe that with a bit of luck and some good performances we can achieve that."

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